Bayer MaterialScience's TDI construction project at the Chempark Dormagen site has reached an important milestone with the completion of the plant shell construction. Bayer MaterialScience and participating contractors invited guests from politics, industry, public administration agencies and the local community to a topping-out ceremony for the new high-tech plant which will produce TDI (toluene diisocyanate). Start-up is scheduled for the second half of 2014.
TDI is a precursor for the manufacture of flexible polyurethane foams to make many everyday products such as mattresses and car seats. The new plant represents an investment of around EUR 250 million. Taken together with the associated peripheral and utility facilities, the total capital expenditure at the Chempark is more than EUR 400 million.
"This world-scale plant, with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons, will make Dormagen the new TDI production center in Europe," said Dr. Joachim Wolff, the Bayer MaterialScience Executive Committee member responsible for the Polyurethanes Business Unit.
Environmentally friendly process
The innovative gas phase process chosen makes TDI production in Dormagen particularly efficient and climate-friendly. "Optimal use is made of energy and other resources. Compared with a conventional plant with the same capacity, the new facility will reduce energy consumption by up to 60 percent and require as much as 80 percent less solvent. This will also give us a decisive competitive edge,” said Wolff.
The Cologne district authority granted the final permit to build and operate the TDI plant in January 2013.